While I certainly appreciate the importance the league must assign to issues of their protected property—their name and logos—I truly wonder where the line is supposed to be drawn. If businesses are promoting the NHL’s sport—often by paying enormous cable fees to be able to show games in their commercial establishments—shouldn’t there be a better balance on the issue of “copyright enforcement’ vs “wow, other people want to help us to promote our sport!”?

When you read the full story, it’s obvious that Basha has been pushing their luck with this stuff for a while. But regardless of that, I can’t see how anyone with any common sense would look at that restaurant sign and think “Oh, clearly they’re affiliated with the Montreal Canadiens.” From where I’m sitting, it’s a clearly a “We’re fans, too” kind of sign. Not unlike the Vancouver example I mentioned above.

I’ve joked about it a lot, but I’m really starting to wonder… how long before I’m in copyright violation if I walk out of the house in my Canucks jersey?

Comments

I am sure that if you pay a monthly fee to the Canucks, they will not have a problem with you wearing their jersey I think the league is out of control on this stuff and as long as Basha is legally receiving the games, they show in their restaurant, I don’t see why they would have a problem with this.

About Canucks and Beyond

Alanah McGinley has been blogging hockey since 2003 (with a notable gap in time through 2010, kicking it with new baby Lucy while living knee-deep in chaos while reading "parenting for complete idiots" during every spare minute) sharing opinions, rants and not-so-deep thoughts with anyone who will listen.

In addition to writing Canucks & Beyond and helping manage Kukla's Korner, Alanah was one of the founders and co-hosts of The Crazy Canucks Podcast. She has contributed pieces to FoxSports.com and the New York TimesSlapshot blog, as well as other stray destinations in cyberspace.